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| ©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC |
Merry Christmas!!!
This is the design I came up with for our Christmas cards this year.
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| ©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC |
I first tried (and failed) to letter "Merry Christmas" straight off with pen and ink. The descending and ascending strokes were not playing nicely together, and the result looked like a tangled strand of Christmas lights. So I pulled out my trusty pencil and some tracing paper to try and work out the problem areas.
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| ©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC |
Then holding my breath, I went back to the pen and ink. (Actually, I do better if I slowly exhale...) I used Moon Palace Sumi and a vintage Gillott Principality nib. The script is not of any particular style, although I did try to include some of things I learned from Bill Lilly in the capital M and C. I wanted to incorporate little, holly leaves in the M and a little jewel like ornament in the C. I then scanned and reduced my lettering on the computer and printed a smaller version using my HP printer and its carbon based, Vivera ink (black #92).
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| ©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC |
Next, I burned a master on my B6 Print Gocco and applied the ink. (Gocco ink for paper; color: silver)
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| ©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC |
Unfortunately, the fine detail of the holly leaves and jewel ornament were lost on the Gocco. They look more like blobs. :) The flourish on the far left didn't burn completely. If you scroll back up to the first photo, you can see where I've tried to camouflage the blobs and skipping line.
I had ordered what I thought would be beautiful, blue paper for the silver ink. Unfortunately, the blue was not a good match. The silver was too difficult to see on the blue. I like silver on black, so I did a bunch of prints on black paper.
I had ordered what I thought would be beautiful, blue paper for the silver ink. Unfortunately, the blue was not a good match. The silver was too difficult to see on the blue. I like silver on black, so I did a bunch of prints on black paper.
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| ©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC |
Of course I had to try printing on many, different papers and envelopes.
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| ©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC |
I quickly ran out of drying racks and soon had every available surface in my studio covered! :)
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| ©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC |
Some of you may remember the front design from a post I did last year.
(To see that post, click here.)
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| ©Jane Farr Calligraphy & Design LLC |
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!!
May 2011 bring happiness, good health and beautiful flourishes!
XOXO
Jane
Jane, it's gorgeous!! I loved seeing your process, too. Wishing you and your family a lovely Christmas and a blessed and happy New Year in 2011.
ReplyDeleteDear Jane,
ReplyDeleteIt was so wonderful receiving and personally receiving your card! I will always treasure it.
Wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas and all good things for 2011.
xo~Dana
Well, it turned out great, Jane! Keep playing...you play very well. : )
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family.
Jane, this beautiful design and the process details are a wonderful gift. Thank you and much happiness to you and your family for Christmas and the New Year.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done! And I love seeing the step by step photos of your process.
ReplyDeleteNice work. I've known Bill for a few years though we've met only once. My Engrosser's Script is decent but I cannot flourish at all. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAloha
Rodney
Jane, these look great!
ReplyDeleteIf anyone is looking for a gocco machine, I have one for sale. It's in like new condition. My email is dailycalligraphy@gmail.com
Jane! Thank you so much for showing us your process!!! I have a Gocco printer someone gave me about eight years ago that I've NEVER used! I'm going to have to get that baby out and start playing! Your cards are truly beautiful, as are the envelopes!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas,
xoxo
Kathy